How many daughters did Lot have?

HOW MANY DAUGHTERS DID LOT HAVE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Friend, I once had a problem with this. Others have had difficulty with it as well. It really is not complicated as we make it out to be. We simply read the English Bible text and use a little common sense.

In Genesis chapter 19, when the men of the city of Sodom came to have sexual relations with the angels staying in Lot’s house for the night, Lot offered to them his two virgin daughters. These women had not yet known men in the biblical sense. Notice:

“[4] But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: [5] And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. [6] And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, [7] And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. [8] Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.”

The angels had come to destroy Sodom for their sexual immorality (sodomy, homosexuality). Verse 14 says that Lot went to warn his sons-in-law and his daughters they married. This means he had at least two married daughters. “[14] And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.”

In verse 15, the angels tell Lot to take his wife and his daughters and leave. Verse 16: “[15] And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. [16] And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.” Verse 30 also mentions two daughters. By the end of the chapter, his two daughters have children by him.

So, how many daughters did Lot have? The common assumption is that he only had two daughters. However, that number does not fit the passage. At minimum, Lot had four daughters. He had at least two married daughters (often overlooked) and two unmarried/virgin daughters (who later had children by him).